Vernon's Biography

Celebrated as one of the world’s foremost hair stylists, brand founders, and educators, British-born, Los Angeles-based Vernon François stands at the pinnacle of beauty and artistry. Renowned for his expertise with all hair textures—from kinky and coily to curly, wavy, and straight—he’s a fierce advocate for the beauty and versatility of Afro and curly hair. François serves as the Global Brand Ambassador for OLAPLEX and L’Oréal PPD, TOC Global Editorial Ambassador and a core member of the Ulta Beauty Pro Team, François redefines the art of hairstyling, empowering people everywhere to embrace their natural hair texture, shape, and personality. His mission is to instill confidence in clients, encouraging them to love and manage their hair with ease and joy.

François’s award-winning VERNON FRANÇOIS® Haircare brand is vegan, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, and designed with intuitive color coding and visual icons, a reflection of François’s personal journey with dyslexia. This innovative approach has earned him high praise, including Yahoo! Lifestyle’s “Most Inclusive Hair Brand” at the Diversity in Beauty Awards and recognition in Ulta Beauty’s Muse 100.

His journey began in his Rastafarian household, where, at just eight years old, he taught himself to braid, loc, and twist hair. By 14, he was already styling professionally on London’s Oxford Street and won his first industry award at 16. His early accolades, including Newcomer of the Year at the Black Beauty Hair Awards and Black Hair Junior Stylist of the Year, established him as a rising talent. Today, his work graces the pages of VOGUE, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Essence, and he serves as a judge for Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards and on the advisory committee for the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).

Beyond styling, François brings his expertise to television appearances on Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, ABC News, and The Today Show, as well as regular demonstrations on HSN. His collaborations extend to luxury campaigns for brands like Lancôme, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Calvin Klein, and Nike, and his work has been captured by iconic photographers such as Mario Testino, Annie Leibovitz, and Steven Meisel.

Vernon François is a visionary whose legacy of beauty innovation, artistry, and inclusivity is shaping the future of haircare and inspiring audiences and industry leaders alike with his limitless passion and talent. Working with Vernon is an invitation to experience the artistry of hair in its most inspiring, authentic form.